Wilder, not Klitschko, the target for Anthony Joshua next fight

Anthony Joshua next fight

PROMOTER Eddie Hearn has denied that Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko is set to make a shock comeback and rematch Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium on April 13.

Hearn revealed that Klitschko has been in contact with the unified IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion, but that Joshuaโ€™s target is WBC heavyweight titlist Deontay Wilder and becoming the undisputed champion.

โ€œItโ€™s not on our radar. I feel disrespectful even talking about what Klitschko might do. Itโ€™s not for me to say,โ€ Hearn told Boxing News.

Joshua beat Klitschko in a thrilling 2017 unification clash. โ€œThrough the fight theyโ€™ve just got that respect as fighters,โ€ the promoter said. โ€œHe wants to do a job on Deontay Wilder, who he doesnโ€™t have any respect for. He wants the belt. Thatโ€™s what he wants. Itโ€™s not even about Wilder. He just wants the belt. [Heโ€™ll say,] โ€˜Iโ€™ll fight [Tyson] Fury but I want the belt.โ€™”

anthony joshua next fight

Hearn hopes to tempt Wilder into fighting Joshua on April 13 at Wembley Stadium. โ€œIt depends what he [Wilder] wants. If he wants to be undisputed, which heโ€™s always said โ€“ one face, one champion, one king, he has to fight โ€˜AJโ€™. But if you donโ€™t want a brutal fight, he should fight Fury. Because that wonโ€™t be a brutal fight. He might get outboxed again but against โ€˜AJโ€™ itโ€™s going to be brutal. So maybe he donโ€™t fancy that,โ€ the Matchroom promoter said. โ€œMaybe he thinks, โ€˜You know what I think I can beat Fury.โ€™ It is a big fight, the rematch. Itโ€™s all about what you want in your career and your legacy. There arenโ€™t going to be many chances to be undisputed.โ€

Itโ€™s been reported that over 300,000 viewers bought the Wilder-Fury pay-per-view in America, with its hefty US price tag. โ€œI think itโ€™s terrible,โ€ Hearn said, โ€œbut maybe theyโ€™re celebrating it.

โ€œI just think 300,000 is disappointing when youโ€™ve got Canelo-Golovkin doing 1.1, 1.2 million [buys] and thatโ€™s supposed to be the biggest heavyweight fight in years and years, 300,000 doesnโ€™t seem that impressive to me but theyโ€™re all celebrating it so it must be good.โ€

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